Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/272

 The old woman, recognizing her mistress among the group, advanced and introduced the stranger, whom the Signora Dottorena, at once perceiving him to be no common person, received with the utmost politeness, herself conducted him into the house, and had an elegant supper served up for him.

While engaged with this welcome refreshment, the Count had ample leisure and opportunity to contemplate his hostess and the ladies composing her society, who, meanwhile, remained in an adjoining apartment, the door of which was thrown open. The mistress of the mansion had indeed passed her zenith, but her countenance was still beautiful and most striking. In her dark eyes, dignity and wisdom sat enthroned, and her fine voice sounded like music, as she discoursed with her listening friends in the soft language of Italy.

The Signorina Ughella, her daughter, possessed a form and features more perfect than the fancy of the most imaginative artist could design. All her motions were full of tender grace; and her black sparkling eyes were indeed such as mortal man could hardly withstand. The train of this noble pair consisted of three young ladies, who might well have induced a comparison with the nymphs of chaste Diana, as depicted by Raphael’s pencil. With the exception of John Buncle, whose rare fortune it was, into whatever bye-nook or out-of-the-world place he found